§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the recent report, commissioned by the Government, on the potential health risks of genetically modified foods; if he will place a copy in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [83136]
§ Ms JowellThe Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser were commissioned to prepare a paper on the public health implications of genetically modified foods and this was considered by a recent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification. The paper considers how genetic modification is used in the production of food; the theoretical risks that may arise from the introduction of GM foods in the diet and an assessment of the likelihood that these may become real problems.
The draft paper is not yet completed. Work is still being undertaken on it, including the recommendations.
When the paper has been finalised it will be published and copies will be placed in the Library.